Sheng Shi Merciful Light

The Palace Examination is held on the third day after the ranking of the general examination, which is a grand event in the whole country.Missions from various countries visited one after another, applying to see the emperor, but none of them were summoned—all matters had to give way to the imperial examination!

The palace examination was presided over by the emperor himself, assisted by other officials, and held in Chongzheng Palace.For one day, Gongsheng entered the palace at dawn and left at dusk.

Wang Youlun had gone through the palace examination, and he told the eldest son Wang Zhihong who was going to participate in the palace examination in detail the precautions, and asked his second son Wang Zhirui to give him away, but he did not show up.

Xu was born in a poor family and neglected nutrition when he was young. Wang Zhihong was somewhat frail and dull, with more than diligence and lack of wit.

Although Wang Youlun was prime minister, he could not intervene in this Enke because his son was taking an exam, and he could not intervene according to the principle of avoidance of relatives. Therefore, although Wang Youlun had a loving father and was worried about his eldest son, he only sent him to the door.He has even reduced his contact with other officials these days, so as not to be slandered and recruited by the examiner to cheat and be impeached by the censor.

What's more, his son has a previous record of failing twice, and everyone knows that his qualifications are mediocre, so being recommended this time is already eye-catching enough.

Little Chongnu looked up at his grandfather, and comforted him, "Don't worry, grandfather, father will be fine."

Wang Youlun nodded, smiled gratifiedly, and only secretly prayed that the eldest son would not be stage frightened and perform exceptionally well.Don't expect him to be the top three in high school, just don't become a fellow Jinshi.What Wang Youlun was afraid of was not ridicule by his colleagues, but only that his eldest son would have a rough future, and that his youngest son, Wang Zhirui, didn't like reading.

Ugh……

Wang Youlun held his grandson's hand, feeling relieved that his grandson is still smart and sensible, and he should be enlightened when he is almost five years old. Where should he go to study?

……

Wang Zhihong arrived at the gate of the palace before dawn, bid farewell to his younger brother, and waited quietly.After seeing Su Min and a few classmates, he felt more relaxed.No noise was allowed in the imperial palace, everyone just bowed to each other in silence and didn't say anything.

Because of the sudden drop in temperature, it was the coldest time before dawn, so Gong Sheng didn't dare to wear too much to avoid making the emperor look indecent in his over-dressed clothes.Fortunately, I don't know who thoughtfully built a shed to keep out the wind, so that a few of them would not fall ill before the exam started.

Almost all the Gongsheng students had their sleeves covered, shrunk like quails, and one of them, standing tall and tall with his head up and chest out, stood out from the crowd.

Taking advantage of the twilight morning light, Wang Zhihong glanced at it, and he was like everyone else, unable to look away.

Thousands of words can't describe the beauty of this amazing creation.

Long eyebrows from distant mountains, flying obliquely into the temples, ink and phoenix eyes, inner divine light, high nose bridge, thin lips with light color, graceful facial lines that are difficult to describe with fine brushwork, like a ghostly axe; his slender body like bamboo, handsome and straight , breaking through the faint mist, and being coated with a faint halo by the first ray of morning light on the horizon.

Even wearing an ordinary light green Confucian gown, people can distinguish him from the crowd at first sight.

His beauty is enough to make the sun and the moon pale, but he doesn't show any femininity at all. He only thinks that he is handsome and majestic. At the age of 21, he has lost the innocence and immaturity of a teenager, and has the fresh and majestic vitality and tenacity unique to young people.

A classmate asked in a low voice, "Who is this Gongsheng?"

Only then did Wang Zhihong come back to his senses, a little ashamed, secretly thinking that he was really a layman.The last time I was amazed by the beauty was half a year ago when King Chu went to his house to meet his relatives.Because his father took care of his sick mother in the inner room, he was in charge of reception.

As soon as he went out, he was dazzled by the beauty, and looked at King Chu's absolutely foul appearance for a long time.Fortunately, the king of Chu didn't care about it, otherwise he would stare at a prince so impolitely, and he would have to be punished for disrespect.

Wang Zhihong said to himself: I'm sorry, I'm sorry.He lowered his brows and narrowed his eyes, not daring to look any further, but only pricked up his ears to listen to others' comments.

"Who is he?"

"I don't know, I haven't seen it before!"

"Like he's never been to a rally, where the hell did he come from?"

No solution!

No one dared to step forward to ask, although the handsome man had no frost on his face, his eyes were not sharp, and there was even a faint smile on the corners of his lips, but somehow people felt that he was repelling people thousands of miles away and did not dare to get close .

Before Enke started, Su Min and several classmates often participated in various literary and poetry gatherings, and they shook their heads, even without knowing their names.This person must have never attended any gatherings, otherwise, with his appearance, he must be impressive, and he has already become the darling of various gatherings.

A beautiful dark horse came out of nowhere.

……

Those who pass the palace examination are the mainstay of the imperial court in the future, and they are the talents selected in the first session of the new emperor's ascension to the throne. The disciples of the emperor who are not exchanged for real money may have to produce a few bachelors and elders, so the palace opened the Nande Gate, the main gate of the palace. The side door welcomed the group of future cabinet ministers to show respect.

Entering the palace has its own set of procedures, first go through the roll call, and then enter the palace after verifying that you are upright.A middle-aged and stable servant held a list and called names according to the rankings released, and Gongsheng entered one by one.Wang Zhihong was at the bottom of the list, so he stepped back consciously, giving way to the forward position.

Huiyuan, No.1 on the list, hurried in with his head down.Su Yan No.2, smiling modestly, clasped hands with her classmates and followed them in. No.3 was a small boy with good features, and he also hand in hand with the person beside him, walked in with his head held high and his chest held high with a stern face.

Wang Zhihong noticed that when he sang to the fourth place "Yizhou, Yunhe Fuxue, Qijun Shuilianxin." The stunningly beautiful man who had been standing calmly and looking around as if he didn't exist, lightly tickled the side There was a slight smile on the corner of her lips, and her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, showing a hint of evil and charm.But this captivating smile quickly disappeared, so quickly that people felt that this stunning touch was like a fleeting illusion.

Shui Lianxin's face was calm, she brushed off her sleeves lightly, she didn't look at anyone, she followed her servants into the room, she didn't feel nervous at all when she first entered the palace, her steps were graceful and unhurried, her blue sleeves fluttered, her long sleeves rippling, she was really a chic uninhibited.

Because his appearance is too extraordinary, everyone is busy admiring him, and there is no time to feel that he is arrogant, not to mention that he has the capital of pride - a beauty should have some privileges just because of this face, let alone this one can rely on talent .

I will try No.4, but I can't roll my face on the paper to brush it.

Such a handsome, handsome, and beautiful man, let him stand at the gate of the palace to monitor the other person, lest the eyes of the impersonating officials lighten up, and he thought: The best candidate on this list must be the king.

Since ancient times, Tanhualang has been the most handsome.

One by one, Gongsheng naturally lined up in a long line and entered the Chongzheng Hall. Everyone followed the rules and did not dare to look around. Under the guidance of the servants, they found their own seats and sat down.Then there was another roll call, so as not to mess up the seating.

Afterwards, the examiner scattered the papers, and Gongsheng took them respectfully and saluted.

After this process, it has already reached the hour of the morning, according to the popular timekeeping method of the Chu Palace, which is eight o'clock in the morning.The servant in Fengli said loudly: "The emperor is here..."

All the officials are respectful and respectful.

All the Gongsheng students stood up to welcome them, and all of them showed great energy, trying to make a good impression on the emperor.Fortunately, many charcoal basins were burned in the Chongzheng Hall, which made the hall warm like spring, and the movements of raising your head and chest were not too forced.

Emperor Deguang stepped into the hall with a dragon and a tiger, his face was a little dignified, but after seeing the tribute students in the hall, his expression gradually relaxed.These are the young talents selected by the imperial examination for the first time after he ascended the throne. The fresh blood that will be injected into Daxing will keep Daxing fresh and energetic. Why not make people happy?

Looking at these spirited young people, the emperor also felt that he was much younger, and he was very comfortable.

"Your Majesty, I will see you..." The minister bowed and saluted.

"Students see His Majesty..." Gong Sheng knelt down and saluted. Although they had fame, they were not courtiers after all. When meeting the emperor for the first time, it was necessary to kneel and salute on such a formal occasion.

Emperor Deguang said: "Everyone who loves you is flat... all living beings are exempt from courtesy!"

The attendant who served the ceremony screamed loudly: "Exemption from ceremony... Pingshen..."

Everyone stood up, but Gong Sheng still didn't dare to raise his head, it was very rude to look at the emperor.Even so, Emperor Deguang saw Shui Lianxin standing in the front row from a group of tribute students. He looked more at his full forehead, beautiful "beauty tip" hairline, and high nose tip several times, but it was not good. Telling a certain Gongsheng to look up... It's like molesting a girl, it's disrespectful.

However, the emperor's every move has attracted much attention. Several officials have noticed the emperor's lingering gaze, and seen Shui Lianxin's cheating appearance and talent, and they all know it well.

For this exam, the examiner is Chengzhi Zhao Rui, a scholar of the Imperial Academy who is known as an internal minister.

Although he was the emperor and the courtiers, Emperor Deguang was very tolerant to the veterans and did not drastically change the court situation. He still relied heavily on Zhao Rui, and he led the Hanlin Academy to draft the internal system and staff consultants.

Letting Zhao Rui be the main examiner of Enke this time is a testament to the Sacred Heart.

According to the procedure, Zhao Rui asked the emperor to personally issue the policy questions.There are no poems and fus in the palace examination, but only policy questions.

Emperor Deguang nodded to Peng Yu, his confidant.Peng Yu hung the four long shafts held by the guards on the four long poles held by the eight servants, and then handed over the four silk ribbons to the emperor.

Emperor Deguang pulled hard, and the four scrolls were opened. On the bright yellow brocade silk, there were four policy questions written by the emperor himself.

In the final analysis, the Enke examination is not to select who is the first poet, but to select good ministers for the country. The questions are naturally based on the country's current politics, and the students' thinking, means and potential for governing the country are tested.

When the four questions came out, the faces of other officials changed a little, and the examinees didn't know how to react for a while. Only Zhao Rui, the chief examiner, didn't change his face, because although the four questions were written by the emperor himself, the content on the bright yellow scroll was He polished it up last night.

Zhao Rui was able to be the patriarch of the two dynasties and was liked by the two emperors because he always followed the emperor's pace. He was a good assist and never questioned.Even if he had doubts, he would only think about it secretly, and if he had advice, he would follow the emperor's thinking and remind the emperor of what he hadn't paid attention to.

Most importantly, Zhao Rui kept his mouth shut, and no news would spread out.

Therefore, some officials often scolded Zhao Rui as the emperor's answerer, thinking that he had lost his literati spirit in order to flatter him.Little do they know that the same rice supports all kinds of people, and Zhao Rui's own character and ability are more suitable for being a secretary.The emperor also felt that he was not suitable for managing state affairs, so although he had won the Sacred Heart and was regarded as the elder of the two dynasties, he was never promoted to be the minister.

Zhao Rui also knows how important he is, and never envies or hates him, and only does his own thing well.

Closer to home, the reason why the courtiers were stunned by the four policy questions, and Gong Sheng was dumbfounded... is indeed a bit out of line.It's not like the handwriting of the loyal and honest Emperor Deguang, but it feels more like the style of the king of Chu who has always been willful and fearless.

Some historical facts listed by Zhao Ruirun's pen are not mentioned in beautiful descriptions, but only focus on understanding.

The first question asked about the ethics of governing the country and the legal situation.

To govern a country is to consolidate the people with politics, to consolidate the soil with ritual, to govern the internal and external with heaven, to govern, to teach, to ritual, to govern, to punish, and to govern affairs.Etiquette should be prior to criminal law, and there are human emotions in addition to legal principles. If there is a conflict, what should we do?

All the Gongsheng students know that the King of Chu once said that "the law is above, and the king is under the law". leader.To make this policy theory, you really have to think about it.

The second question is about land annexation.

For the sake of peace in the world, the country once had the law of leveling acres, changing the system of land, in order to enrich the country and benefit the people, why the rich have thousands of fields and the poor have no land to stand on?

This problem is too acute, and every dynasty has a headache about land annexation.

This policy question is even more directed at the Jiangzhou prefect's bribery case that Zhong Wang is investigating.The investigation of this case was not smooth, and was protected by Jiangzhou officials, and even obstructed by court officials, because most of the officials and dignitaries had more or less invaded the land, and they were afraid of pulling out carrots and bringing out mud, and letting the emperor and the king of Chu move this unspoken rule .Some Gongsheng students with good backgrounds dare not write, but the students from poor families are angry in their hearts and grit their teeth to think.

The third question is about the re-opening of border crossings.

Whether there is mutual exchange of swords and swords, and the banning of border trade has caused resentment. If reopening mutual markets with border countries, what are the advantages and disadvantages, and what can be done?

In fact, the tone has already been set, and the reform method will only be asked when the border trade is ready to reopen.But if this matter is not handled well, the country will be in chaos, and the border will cause disaster.

Question [-] is about disaster reduction and food issues.

There are few tillers but many eaters, silkworms are scarce but there are many clothes, and floods, droughts and locusts are a disaster, there is smoke and dust on the side, and there are thieves inside, and the people suffer from it day by day.How can the world be free from idleness, be prepared for severe famines, and keep the people free from hunger?

The emperor held an insect-eating ceremony with the empress during Shengshou, and the whole Daxing knew about the upcoming insect disaster and the reduction of food production.Fortunately, disasters occur frequently every year, and everyone is used to it.But the problem is still very serious... The food production is reduced.When the people lack food, riots are prone to occur, and the country is in turmoil. If it is not handled well, it will seriously damage the vitality.

But the food problem is a thorny problem that is difficult to solve at the root. Natural disasters and catastrophes are simply not something that human beings can contend with.

More than 200 Gongsheng students did not dare to whisper to the people next to them, let alone make eye contact with others. Apart from looking up at the policy questions, they just stared at their own cases and meditated.

The topic was so important and sensitive that Gong Sheng scratched his head and got a little excited, because it showed that the emperor had an enterprising spirit and hoped to make great achievements.But this time, most of Enke's Gongsheng students are young people, and the most important thing for young people is blood!

Some people have already started to pick up pens and write on the drafts, and gradually more and more people began to write drafts. The Chongzhen Palace could hear needles being dropped, and it was extremely quiet.

Looking up at the test questions, Emperor Deguang saw Shui Lianxin in the first row of the answer sheet at a glance. He felt inexplicably familiar, and immediately thought of his beautiful ninth younger brother. Beautiful to the extreme, there is always something in common.

Gong Sheng, who was immersed in thinking, didn't notice Emperor Deguang's gaze, and Shui Lianxin didn't seem to notice either.

Emperor Deguang couldn't keep staring at people, so he forced his eyes back, and felt the concern in his heart, turned sideways, and recruited his confidant servant Peng Yu to whisper: "Go and see if the King of Chu is awake, if not, don't make a noise." When he wakes up, ask him if he is interested in coming over to take a look."

Peng Yu took the order and went down.

Shui Lianxin's ears moved slightly, and a flash of light flashed in his eyes, and then he took advantage of the timing of the question to look at the honest and restrained but handsome Emperor Deguang who was sitting on the dragon chair without any trace. Before Emperor Deguang cast his gaze, he quickly lowered his head to look at his test paper.

……

Mu Ci received important information from Ye Xingwei last night, knowing that the border might not be peaceful, so she entered the palace to discuss with Mu Zan.Because the situation was urgent, and he couldn't tell others to avoid panic, he lost his position first, and Mu Zhan grabbed Mu Ci and didn't let him go. The two brothers searched for information together, looked at the map, analyzed the situation, and discussed countermeasures. He didn't let go until late at night. Guo Muci.

It was late at night and the palace closed early, and Mu Ci stayed in Chonghua Palace to sleep. His biological clock was accurate, and he also got up early to meditate and exercise. After that, he felt mentally weak, so he simply took a nap and slept until the morning.

When the servant Peng Yu came over, Mu Ci sensed it and woke up. Hearing the third brother's call, he took Mou Yu to the Chongzheng Hall.

The king of Chu is also a stunning beauty of Zhong Lingyuxiu. His face is flushed because he just woke up. He is dressed in white casual clothes, with a little bit of casual laziness.

Mu Ci didn't care about other people's eyes, she didn't care at all, but when she stepped into the hall, she noticed something strange!

——There was a very aggressive and sharp gaze passing over him, and before he glanced over, the gaze converged.

But who is Mu Ci? Others may not be able to spot the owner of that line of sight among the 300 people in the hall, but Mu Ci has already figured it out, locked the position but didn't look over it, so as not to startle the snake.

Mou Yu also felt it, and glanced around the Gongsheng group, but found nothing.

Emperor Deguang smirked and waved to Mu Ci, Mu Ci walked over leisurely, sat on the royal chair that Emperor Deguang had moved to his side earlier, and asked the servant holding the pole to stand up, and used the bright yellow scroll of policy questions to draw his figure blocked.

He doesn't have the word shy in his dictionary, he just doesn't want to affect Gongsheng's exam.

Although it was not in etiquette, Emperor Deguang always pampered this younger brother. The other courtiers also understood the lethality of King Chu's appearance, and no one pointed it out.The waiter in the ceremony just watched the nose with his eyes and his heart with his nose, and fell silent.

Emperor Deguang naturally took Jiudi's hand, touched his face, lowered his voice and asked, "Did you sleep well last night?"

As soon as Mu Ci woke up, every bone was feeling lazy, so he leaned lazily on the king's chair, his forehead just resting on Emperor Deguang's shoulder, and complained: "Next time, don't make trouble until midnight, I can sleep better."

The matter discussed last night was very important, so Emperor Deguang said "hehe..." and didn't bring it up for discussion, but moved closer to Mu Ci so that he could rest his head on his shoulder.

The words "noisy until midnight", combined with the fact that the king of Chu stayed in the palace overnight, and his handsome appearance that makes people want to love him fiercely, the casual intimacy of leaning on his elder brother's shoulders seems very strange to outsiders. A little ambiguous with color.

However, those who can hear them are all acquaintances around them, so there is no misunderstanding.

Shui Lianxin moved her ears again, and the cold light in her eyes flickered away, but she didn't look up again to observe the question. The brush hovered for a long time, and a drop of thick black ink dripped with a "pop...".

Shui Lianxin looked at the dirty black spot for a long time, ignored it with a blank face, and continued to write, fortunately it was a draft, otherwise it would be scrapped and rewritten.